County leaders get key roles in disciplinary case

The Ontario County Board of Supervisors chairman will decide on a case involving a disciplinary proceeding against a county employee.

Julie Sherwood

The Ontario County Board of Supervisors on Thursday named board Chairman Supervisor Ted Fafinski, R-Farmington, to judge a disciplinary case involving a county employee.

The unanimously passed resolution stated that Fafinski had not taken part in executive sessions or discussions in the matter and “is therefore in the best position to render an impartial judgment as appointing officer.”

Fafinski and other officials won’t name the employee; however, Assistant Economic Developer Roberta Jordans has hired an attorney to defend herself in a Civil Service proceeding.

Last month, Fafinski removed himself from an executive session meeting pertaining to a personnel matter because, he said, he anticipated “being involved with the decision-making process in the case.”

Fafinski, who has served in similar positions at the county and town level, said he will decide whether to accept, reject, or accept only a portion of a hearing officer’s determination in the case. The process is governed by Civil Service Law, he said, which dictates how disciplinary matters may be handled.

As appointing officer, the resolution noted, Fafinski “may consult with and receive input from members of the Board of Supervisors” on the matter.

The resolution also named board Vice Chairman Wayne Houseman as the person authorized “to conduct or cause to be conducted such further investigation ... as he deems appropriate” in the matter.

Houseman, R-Bristol, defined his role as making sure both parties in the case receive the information they need.

Daily Messenger writer Julie Sherwood can be reached at (585) 394-0770, Ext. 263, or at jsherwood@mpnewspapers.com.